Football: Roland, Muldrow Wrapping Up Spring Workouts

As spring football workouts wind down, Roland coach Jeff Streun said the Rangers got the most out of their time on the field.

As spring football workouts wind down, Roland coach Jeff Streun said the Rangers got the most out of their time on the field.

"Spring practice was very productive for us, finding two or three positions offensively and defensively and moving some kids into different roles," Struen said. "We feel like we’re sound two-deep at every position we have, so spring ball was real productive."

One player Streun is switching around is Brady Robertson, normally a starter on defense who was moved to center, replacing three-year starter Seth Clark.

"We think we’ve found him a place where he can be very productive and he’s really athletic at that particular position," Streun said. "It’s kind of a big move but he loves it."

In last year’s spring workouts, the Rangers were breaking in a new quarterback, Manuel Bunch, who returns this fall. But Streun said the backup quarterback position is still up for grabs.

"He’s gotten better and we’re looking at big things out of him," Streun said of Bunch. "What we don’t have is a backup quarterback. … We’re really strapped right now trying to find somebody, a wide receiver, a running back, somebody that can jump in there and at least learn some things."

Of course, another integral player to watch this season for the Rangers will be Austin Cantrell. The incoming senior tight end/defensive end committed to play at the University of Arkansas during the offseason.

"We’re giving him a lot more responsibility and we have every year that he’s played," Streun said. "This year, we’ve really tested him mentally and he’s picking it up real well.

"He can play at end obviously but we’re also looking at him at inside and outside linebacker where we can really create some mismatches and bring him from multiple angles."

Muldrow

The Bulldogs will have some players return from last season, but they will mainly be on one side of the ball.

Among the players who have impressed Johnson this spring are Logan Collins and Ethan Gray, both linebackers.

Johnson said while the defense returns several starters, there will be a few tweaks. Longtime Muldrow assistant Archie Ryan will take over as the team’s defensive coordinator.

"Defensively, we’re putting in some new philosophies and flaws and it’s all working out," Johnson said. "It’s the same defense but just with a different kind of philosophy."

One question which will likely be answered during preseason workouts in August will be at quarterback, as Johnson needs a replacement for the graduated Dominic Blue. The Bulldogs will also have a very small senior class for the 2014 season.

"We’ve only got four seniors and we’ve got a lot of people back who were sophomores that played last year that will be juniors," Johnson said. "We’ve also got to try out a new quarterback; Blue’s not back and he’s going to be a hard guy to replace."

Once again this year, the annual Roland-Muldrow rivalry which traditionally kicks off the season will be held on a Thursday. This season’s game is set for Thursday, Sept. 4, at Muldrow.